That ever I should speak or write a tittle, that tends to
such an infinite liberty of conscience, is a mistake, and
which I have ever disclaimed and abhorred. To prevent
such mistakes, I shall at present only propose this case:
There goes many a ship to sea, with many hundred souls
in one ship, whose weal and woe is common, and is a true
picture of a commonwealth, or a human combination or
society. It hath fallen out sometimes, that both papists and
protestants, Jews and Turks, may be embarked in one
ship; upon which supposal I affirm, that all the liberty of
conscience, that ever I pleaded for, turns upon these two
hinges--that none of the papists, protestants, Jews, or
Turks, be forced to come to the ship's prayers of worship,
nor compelled from their own particular prayers or worship,
if they practice any. I further add, that I never denied,
that notwithstanding this liberty, the commander of
this ship ought to command the ship's course, yea, and
also command that justice, peace and sobriety, be kept and
practiced, both among the seamen and all the passengers.
If any of the seamen refuse to perform their services, or
passengers to pay their freight; if any refuse to help, in
person or purse, towards the common charges or defence;
if any refuse to obey the common laws and orders of the
ship, concerning their common peace or preservation; if
any shall mutiny and rise up against their commanders
and officers; if any should preach or write that there
ought to be no commanders or officers, because all are
equal in Christ, therefore no masters nor officers, no laws
nor orders, nor corrections nor punishments;--I say, I
never denied, but in such cases, whatever is pretended, the
commander or commanders may judge, resist, compel and
punish such transgressors, according to their deserts and
merits. This if seriously and honestly minded, may, if it so
please the Father of lights, let in some light to such as willingly
shut not their eyes.